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Technology Stocks : Internet Capital Group Inc. (ICGE) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: puborectalis who wrote (1482)	4/11/2000 4:33:00 PM
From: puborectalis	Respond to of 4187

Blodget B2B Update Excerpt Merrill Lynch Technology Bits and Bytes April 10, 2000: Internet Industry - B2B (Henry Blodget 212-449-0773/Ed McCabe 212-449-8862) ? The negative sentiment and pressure on B2B stocks and Internet Capital Group (ICGE; $64, D-2-1-9) in particular was further exacerbated by an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning. The article construed Safeguard Scientifics' (SFE; $58; D-1-1-9) announcement of a focus on Internet infrastructure as a shift away from B2B, which we do not believe is the case. SFE is an original investor and significant owner of ICGE. ? With Safeguard's CEO on ICG's board and ICG's CEO recently named to SFE's board we believe the relationship between the two company's is solid. Safeguard owns a 14% stake in ICG and views this holding as its vehicle for investing in B2B, which it continues to regard as a major opportunity. SFE will continue to focus its internal resources on the infrastructure sector (also a major opportunity) and maintain exposure to B2B through ICGE. ? In our view, the change in sentiment regarding B2B has been, for the most part, driven by announcements of industry-led marketplaces that could limit the opportunity of some "pure play" Internet companies. B2B stocks were and still are very highly valued - discounting huge market opportunities. Any potential change in these market opportunities - whether real or perceived - has and likely will pressure the stocks. ? We believe the combination of volatile market conditions, which make the new issues market "touch and go" at best, the current sentiment toward B2B, competitive industry announcements, and expiring lock-ups could cause ICG to trade in a range over the near-term. Long-term, we believe ICG's strong management, current and future partnerships with industry players and investments in "pure play" market makers will make it an important player in the development of B2B e-commerce. rally4roi Source: Merrill Lynch Technology Bits and Bytes April 10, 2000

To: puborectalis who wrote (1482)	4/11/2000 5:29:00 PM
From: bswmhf	Respond to of 4187

The Internet Capital Group has a focus that will lead it to profitability. B2B is the where the strength of the market lies. Before the internet becomes a viable economic fiber of our marketplace it must first enroll brick and mortar(BM) into the whole picture. Business to consumer sales alone will not underwrite the overall cost of this technological development called the internet. Business on all levels and locations will have to participate in order for it to become a overall profit generating situation. Therefore it is obvious that ICG is on the right track in their thinking, develop Business to Business and more specifically E-Business to Brick and Mortar Business(EB2BM). Strategies for enrolling brick and mortar into the internet landscape are the business models that will generate profits at this time. This of course is very hard to accomplish since small business is more of a reactionary implementor of innovation. I'll get on the net when I am forced to by my competition is a common reply. Now that some wind has been taken out of the E-commerce sites you will find that big BM companies will move in to dominate the soon to be wireless world of the internet. Inventory databases of BM connected to cell phone users via the internet will direct consumers to the retailer who is shrewd enough to develop these strategies. Small business will then be forced into following suit. Phase 1 in the overall history of the E-world is coming to a close. The dust will settle and phase 2 will be much more enlightened. The bottom line will come back into fashion as investors burned in phase 1 cautiously reconsider internet ventures. Any internet proposal will have to demonstrate sustained profits to be considered by these burnt fingers. I myself see ICG to be the company I would eventually chose to underwrite any IPO I might consider for keyeffect.com . In conclusion they are the safest place to exploit the internet even if it is hard to see the large picture when all you see is red.